Surmullets, Croakers, etc. 



ear-bones not clearly identifiable are found from the Miocene 

 on. These structures are more highly specialized in this group 

 than in any other. 



FIG. 296. Drum, Pogonias chromis (Linnaeus). Matanzas, Fla. 



The Sillaginidae, etc. Allied to the Scicenida is the small family 

 of Kisugos, Sillaginida, of the coasts of Asia. These are slender, 

 cylindrical fishes, silvery in color, with a general resemblance 

 to small Scicsnas. 



Sillago japonicus, the kisugo of Japan, is a very abundant 

 species, valued as food. Sillago sihama ranges from Japan to 

 Abyssinia. 



A number of small families, mostly Asiatic, may be appended 

 to the percoid series, with which they agree in general characters, 

 especially in the normal structure of the shoulder-girdle and 

 in the insertion of the pectoral and ventral fins. 



The Lactariidtz constitute a small family of the East Indies, 

 allied to the Scri&nida, but with three anal spines. The mouth 

 is armed with strong teeth. Lactarius lactarius is a food-fish of 

 India. 



The Nandida are small spiny-rayed fishes of the East Indian 

 streams, without pseudobranchiae. 



The Polycentridcs are small fresh-water perch-like fishes of 

 the streams of South America, without lateral line and with 

 many anal spines. 



